Date Published:
17 November 2006 |
Armenia beats iodine deficiency (UNICEF)
The coalition of four organizations working together to address iodine
deficiency disorders throughout the world, has recognized the elimination of
iodine deficiency in Armenia through universal salt iodization.
In a ceremony held today to mark this achievement, the UNICEF Representative
in Armenia, Sheldon Yett, presented a plaque to the Ministry of Health of Armenia,
which recognizes the Government of Armenia’s success in its long standing
campaign to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders as a public health problem.
The plaque was presented on behalf of the Network for Sustained Elimination
of Iodine Deficiency, the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency
Disorders, UNICEF and the World Health Organization.
“ Elimination of iodine deficiency in Armenia is a remarkable achievement
and represents a significant contribution to the protection and improvement
of health and well-being of children in this country,” the UNICEF
Representative in Armenia emphasized.
He added that “some 20 million children
in developing countries are affected by iodine deficiency each year and every
single case
can be prevented with the use of iodized salt.”
Iodine deficiency is the world’s leading cause of preventable mental
retardation among children. While the worst cases of iodine deficiency can
cause severe mental retardation, such as cretinism, even mild iodine deficiency
can result in a significant loss in learning ability. Other effects include
increased risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, and goiter for women and learning
difficulties for children. Salt iodization is the most effective and sustainable
way to prevent iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) because salt is widely consumed
and iodization is safe and inexpensive. Eliminating IDD through the promotion
of the use of iodized salt is a key component of UNICEF’s mission to
ensure that every child has the opportunity to survive, develop and achieve
his/her developmental potential.
In 1995, the Ministry of Health jointly with UNICEF, conducted a study which
indicated that over 50% of pregnant women were suffering from iodine deficiency.
Since 1997 UNICEF, the Ministry of Health, and the Avan Salt Factory have been
working together to eliminate iodine deficiency in Armenia through universal
salt iodization. The efforts were funded in part through contributions from
the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
“ Ministry of Health attaches great importance to the issue of iodine
deficiency in Armenia and is taking steps to ensure the sustainability of the
Universal Salt Iodization in Armenia,” Minister of Health Norayr
Davidyan said.
A nationally representative survey of school children carried
out last year by UNICEF, the Ministry of Health and the International
Council for the
Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) found that the proportion
of households
consuming adequately iodized salt has increased to 97% from 70% in
1998. The 2005 survey also found that urinary concentrations of iodine
were
sufficiently high.
“ The achievement of universal salt iodization means that 40,000
children born in Armenia each year are now being protected from the consequences
of
iodine deficiency,” the UNICEF Representative said. As the survey
noted, "strengthened monitoring and regulatory systems are now required
to sustain
this achievement,” the Representative added.
About UNICEF
For 60 years UNICEF has been the world’s leader for children, working
on the ground in 156 countries and territories to help children survive and
thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest
provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health
and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys
and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and
AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals,
businesses, foundations and governments.
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